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The academy says there is evidence that patients often pressure doctors into prescribing or carrying out unnecessary treatments and the NHS is also coming under increasing pressure to reduce over-medicalisation - in other words the medicines and treatments it prescribes.

For some time now, GPs have been advised to cut back on prescribing antibiotics to patients.

The academy says patients should always ask five key questions when seeking treatment.

Do I really need this test, treatment or procedure?

What are the risks or downsides?

What are the possible side-effects?

Are there simpler, safer options?

What will happen if I do nothing?

Prof Dame Sue Bailey, chairwoman of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, told the BBC: "Some of these treatments can be quite invasive, time-consuming; there are simpler and as-safe options, so why wouldn't you?

"Because I think what we've got is a culture of 'we can do something, therefore we should do something' and we need to stop and reflect and decide what is the best option for the patient in their individual circumstances."

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Media captionChair of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges tells Radio 4's Today why some treatments may not be necessary